The Latest: France's Macron offers flood victims solidarity

French President Emmanuel Macron has extended the "solidarity" of the French nation to residents of the southwestern region struck by flash flooding and to the families of people who died in the disaster.

Macron also said after meeting with South Korean President Moon Jae-in in Paris on Monday that he was grateful for the "exemplary" response by emergency personnel.

The French leader is expected to travel to the Aude region in coming days to see the damage and to meet with affected residents floods. A date for his trip hasn't been set.

The French Interior Ministry says the death toll from the flash floods that struck the southwest Aude region has been lowered to 10.

French authorities initially reported Monday that at least 13 people died after exceptionally heavy rain caused the overnight flooding. The ministry said it revised the figure later in the day after realizing some victims had been counted twice.

French Prime Minister Edouard Philippe, who visited the flooded areas on Monday, confirmed that 10 people were killed.

Overnight storms dumped the equivalent of several months of rain in a few hours, causing the worst floods in the area in more than a century.

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3:30 p.m.

An official says French President Emmanuel Macron is traveling to southwestern France "as soon as possible" to meet with people affected by the flash floods in which 13 died.

A French presidency official said a date for the trip to the Aude region hasn't been set yet because Macron doesn't want to disturb the emergency response work. The official asked for anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly.

The official also said that an anticipated reshuffling of government ministers would not be announced on Monday since the government was focused on the flooding.

Overnight storms that swept in from the Mediterranean dumped the equivalent of several months of rain in just a few hours in the region. The worst-hit town was Trebes, east of the medieval walled city of Carcassonne, where nine people were killed.

Vigicrues, the French agency that monitors rivers for flood risks, says water levels are higher than at any time since 1891.

- By Sylvie Corbet in Paris.

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1:25 p.m.

The French Interior Ministry says the death toll from flash floods in southwest France has nearly doubled to 13.

Ministry spokesman Frederic de Lanouvelle says Monday that one other person is missing and five others are seriously hurt after flash floods tore through towns, turning streams into raging torrents.

He said nine of the 13 dead were clustered in one town, Trebes, in the Aude region. The official said the death toll could still rise further.

Some people had to be helicoptered to safety from the roofs of their homes as overnight storms dumped several months of rain in just a few hours.

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12:45 a.m.

Flash floods tore through towns in southwest France, turning streams into raging torrents that authorities said killed at least seven people and seriously injured five others. Some people had to be helicoptered to safety from the roofs of their homes as overnight storms dumped several months of rain in just a few hours.

Authorities said four deaths were clustered around the town of Villegailhenc in the Aude region, where a powerful, roiling surge of muddy water and debris ripped out a bridge.

Even as diluvial overnight rains that swept in from the Mediterranean began to ease Monday morning, France's Interior Ministry said the toll of seven deaths and five serious injuries could rise.

In Villegailhenc, Ines Siguet said the waters rose so quickly that people were stranded on the roofs of their homes and had to be helicoptered to safety. She posted video of the ripped-up road where the bridge used to be, with the town now cut in half.

A car and debris are pictured after floods in the town of Villegailhenc, southern France, Monday, Oct.15, 2018. Flash floods tore through towns in southwest France, turning streams into raging torrents that authorities said killed several people and seriously injured at least five others. (AP Photo/Fred Lancelot)

Rescue workers, background, secure the area by a collapsed bridge in the town of Villegailhenc, southern France, Monday, Oct.15, 2018. Flash floods tore through towns in southwest France, turning streams into raging torrents that authorities said killed several people and seriously injured at least five others. (AP Photo/Fred Lancelot)

Residents watch the waters after flash floods in the town of Villegailhenc, southern France, Monday, Oct.15, 2018. Flash floods tore through towns in southwest France, turning streams into raging torrents that authorities said killed several people and seriously injured at least five others. (AP Photo/Fred Lancelot)

A man rides past a damaged car in the town of Villegailhenc, southern France, Monday, Oct. 15, 2018. Flash floods tore through towns in southwest France, turning streams into raging torrents that authorities said killed several people and seriously injured at least five others. (AP Photo/Fred Lancelot)

Rescue workers stand by a collpased bridge in the town of Villegailhenc, southern France, Monday, Oct.15, 2018. Flash floods tore through towns in southwest France, turning streams into raging torrents that authorities said killed several people and seriously injured at least five others. (AP Photo/Fred Lancelot)

A police officer inspects a damaged car in the town of Villegailhenc, southern France, Monday, Oct.15, 2018. Flash floods tore through towns in southwest France, turning streams into raging torrents that authorities said killed several people and seriously injured at least five others. (AP Photo/Fred Lancelot)

Rescue workers, background, secure the area by a collapsed bridge in the town of Villegailhenc, southern France, Monday, Oct.15, 2018. Flash floods tore through towns in southwest France, turning streams into raging torrents that authorities said killed several people and seriously injured at least five others. (AP Photo/Fred Lancelot)

An helicopter flies over the town of Villegailhenc, southern France, after flash floods Monday, Oct.15, 2018. Flash floods tore through towns in southwest France, turning streams into raging torrents that authorities said killed several people and seriously injured at least five others. (AP Photo/Fred Lancelot)

Soldiers patrol past a vintage car after flash floods in the town of Villegailhenc, southern France, Monday, Oct.15, 2018. Flash floods tore through towns in southwest France, turning streams into raging torrents that authorities said killed several people and seriously injured at least five others. (AP Photo/Fred Lancelot)

Cars pile up after flash floods in the town of Villegailhenc, southern France, Monday, Oct.15, 2018. Flash floods tore through towns in southwest France, turning streams into raging torrents that authorities said killed several people and seriously injured at least five others. (AP Photo/Fred Lancelot)

Residents watch workers pulling a car out of a torrent after flash floods in the town of Villegailhenc, southern France, Monday, Oct.15, 2018. Flash floods tore through towns in southwest France, turning streams into raging torrents that authorities said killed several people and seriously injured at least five others. (AP Photo/Fred Lancelot)

Residents clean their house after flash floods in the town of Villegailhenc, southern France, Monday, Oct.15, 2018. Flash floods tore through towns in southwest France, turning streams into raging torrents that authorities said killed several people and seriously injured at least five others. (AP Photo/Fred Lancelot)

People try to pull a car out of a torrent after flash floods in the town of Villegailhenc, southern France, Monday, Oct.15, 2018. Flash floods tore through towns in southwest France, turning streams into raging torrents that authorities said killed several people and seriously injured at least five others. (AP Photo/Fred Lancelot)